Cubify Cube 3D printer

Table of Contents

The Cubify Cube 3d printer is a plastic filament 3D-printer. It's production is discontinued but I got mine for free from one of the members of the Warsaw Hackerspace so I thought I might as well see what's it worth. The online reviews of this printer are pretty bad (it has > 50% 1-star reviews on Amazon) but hey, I got it for free together with two cartridges of filament.

Screws are Allen H2.5 not Allen H3 or Torx like I thought.

1. Main board

1.1. Chips

Item Type Notes
Microcontroller PIC32MX450F256H  
WLAN chip RN131C//RM  
  VN5050J Automotive driver, purpose unknown
Stepper motor drivers A3979 4 x stepper motor drivers. Makes sense, the 3d printer has 4 stepper motors (3 axes and extruder).
LCD https://www.docdroid.net/JLZDTjm/pt0242432t-c402-j-vera.pdf#page=11  
OTG transciever   For both host (usb sticks) and device (back connector for firmware programming).

1.2. Connectors

There are the following connectors on the board:

  • a PICkit2 connector (unpopulated)
  • a CONN12 connector (unpopulated)
  • a microSD (TransFlash) connector (populated with a 4 GB card). It is likely used to store the print gcode files and settings
  • a twopin cartridge plug-in detect connector. Connected to the PIC pin 63 RPE3/CTPLS/PMD3/RE3
  • spring pins connecting to a chip inside the cartridge via 1-Wire, connected to the PIC pin SDA2/U2RX/PMA9/CN17/RF4

1.3. Tapping the PIC <-> WLAN communications

I soldered two new pin headers onto the board to access the PICkit2 connector as well as the CONN12 which I expected would be the serial port. My suspicions were correct, when plugging in a USB<->RS232 adapter I started seeing some interesting output. This is actually the interface between the PIC microprocessor and the WLAN module.

Here is what can be seen on the console when the Cube is powered on:

# picocom -b 57600 /dev/ttyUSB0 
picocom v2.2

port is        : /dev/ttyUSB0
flowcontrol    : none
baudrate is    : 57600
parity is      : none
databits are   : 8
stopbits are   : 1
escape is      : C-a
local echo is  : no
noinit is      : no
noreset is     : no
nolock is      : no
send_cmd is    : sz -vv
receive_cmd is : rz -vv -E
imap is        : 
omap is        : 
emap is        : crcrlf,delbs,

Type [C-a] [C-h] to see available commands

Terminal ready


0.000 Cube V2.07
0.000 Baud:227272

Later after the button is pressed and the GUI starts:

2.000 $$$
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_CHECK_FS
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_CHECK_FILE
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_AND_RENAME
2.200 D_WRITE_NVM
CMD
2.200 set u m 0x31
AOK
2.225 set w l 5
AOK
2.225 save
Storing in config
2.225 get mac
Mac Addr=00:06:66:21:f1:46
2.250 ver
wifly-GSX Ver 4.00.1, Apr 19 2013 11:48:31 on RN-131
2.250 exit
EXIT

Each message has a timestamp in it's header which is like sysUpTime in that it counts time since boot. Some more interesting strings are produced when a WiFi scan is triggered:

126.550 $$$
CMD
126.600 set w j 0
AOK
126.625 save
Storing in config
126.625 reboot
*Reboot* 
128.625 $$$
CMD
128.675 set sys printlvl 0x4000
AOK
128.700 scan
SCAN:Found 4
01,06,-75,04,3104,28,40,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,ZyXEL XXXXXX v2
02,11,-39,04,1104,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXX
03,11,-84,04,3100,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXXXXXXX
04,11,-83,04,3100,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXXXXX
131.300 exit
END:
EXIT

The commands are documented on Microchip's site

Example WLAN association output:

525.150 $$$
CMD
525.325 set w j 0
AOK
525.350 save
Storing in config
525.375 reboot
*Reboot*
527.375 $$$
CMD
527.425 set sys printlvl 0x4000
AOK
527.450 scan
SCAN:Found 6
01,01,-84,04,1105,28,40,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXXXXXX
02,08,-76,04,3104,28,40,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXXXXXXX
03,11,-40,04,1104,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXXXx
04,11,-78,04,3100,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXX
05,11,-78,04,3100,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXXXXXXXX
06,11,-80,04,3100,28,00,xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,XXX
530.075 exit
END:
EXIT
620.800 $$$
CMD
620.825 set i d 1
AOK
620.850 set w a 4
AOK
620.850 set w p XXXXX
AOK
621.300 set w j 1
AOK
621.300 set w c 0
AOK
621.300 join XXXXX
Auto-Assoc XXXXX chan=11 mode=MIXED SCAN OK
Joining XXXX now..
Associated!
DHCP: Start
DHCP in 4789ms, lease=3600s
IF=UP
DHCP=ON
IP=10.1.0.8:2000
NM=255.255.255.240
GW=10.1.0.1
626.625 save
Listen on 2000
Storing in config
626.625 exit
EXIT

2. Cartridges

The chip inside the cartridge with filament is a DS28E01.

3. Software

The software needed is the older Cubify not the new Cube Print. When trying to print the new files the printer displays a message "Cannot print this file".

4. CONN12 output while printing

Besides communication from the microcontroller to the WLAN chip the CONN12 serial port serves also as a debug console. I have wired an external cable reaching out of the case to watch what happens there. The pinout of this connector is the following:

PIN +3.3 V GND TXD RXD
Ext. cable   purple blue green

The serial port setup to receive data is 57600 bps 8n1. Here are some dumps from the printer doing printing-related stuff.

Debug output when printing and filament broke:

2.000 $$$
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_CHECK_FS
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_CHECK_FILE
CMD
2.750 set u m 0x31
AOK
2.775 set w l 5
AOK
2.775 save
Storing in config
2.800 get mac
Mac Addr=00:06:66:21:f1:46
2.825 ver
wifly-GSX Ver 4.00.1, Apr 19 2013 11:48:31 on RN-131
2.825 exit
EXIT
55.450 D_FILAMENT_LENGTH=
55.450 106590
55.450 TE4 RST E1 T=10
68.300 TE4 E1 T=125 DT=115 CR=2300 TH=225
73.275 TE4 E1 T=150 DT=25 CR=500 TH=225
78.250 TE4 E1 T=174 DT=24 CR=480 TH=200
83.225 TE4 E1 T=195 DT=21 CR=420 TH=200
88.200 TE4 E1 T=214 DT=19 CR=380 TH=175
96.950 Encoder=2.75mm ext=0mm
98.250 Encoder=5.51mm ext=3mm
100.250 Encoder=8.26mm ext=6mm
101.250 Encoder=11.01mm ext=8mm
103.200 Encoder=13.77mm ext=11mm
104.300 Encoder=16.52mm ext=13mm
106.150 Encoder=19.27mm ext=16mm
107.350 Encoder=22.02mm ext=18mm
109.450 Encoder=24.78mm ext=22mm
110.650 Encoder=27.53mm ext=24mm
112.800 Encoder=30.28mm ext=27mm
114.000 Encoder check, ext=30mm
114.100 Encoder=33.04mm ext=30mm
116.000 Encoder=35.79mm ext=33mm
117.300 Encoder=38.54mm ext=35mm
119.400 Encoder=41.30mm ext=39mm
120.350 Encoder=44.05mm ext=40mm
122.950 Encoder=46.80mm ext=44mm
124.050 Encoder=49.55mm ext=46mm
125.850 Encoder=52.31mm ext=49mm
127.100 Encoder=55.06mm ext=51mm
129.200 Encoder=57.81mm ext=54mm
130.400 Encoder=60.57mm ext=56mm
132.250 Encoder check, ext=60mm
132.500 Encoder=63.32mm ext=60mm
133.800 Encoder=66.07mm ext=62mm
134.200 Encoder=68.82mm ext=63mm
134.650 Encoder=71.58mm ext=63mm
136.350 Encoder=74.33mm ext=65mm
137.650 Encoder=77.08mm ext=68mm
139.700 Encoder=79.84mm ext=71mm
140.700 Encoder=82.59mm ext=73mm
142.600 Encoder=85.34mm ext=76mm
143.700 Encoder=88.10mm ext=78mm
145.500 Encoder=90.85mm ext=81mm
147.050 Encoder=93.60mm ext=83mm
149.100 Encoder=96.36mm ext=87mm
150.300 Encoder=99.11mm ext=89mm
150.700 Encoder check, ext=90mm
152.400 Encoder=101.86mm ext=92mm
153.750 Encoder=104.61mm ext=95mm
155.650 Encoder=107.37mm ext=98mm
156.950 Encoder=110.12mm ext=100mm
158.950 Encoder=112.87mm ext=104mm
160.000 Encoder=115.63mm ext=105mm
161.850 Encoder=118.38mm ext=109mm
162.950 Encoder=121.13mm ext=111mm
164.800 Encoder=123.88mm ext=114mm
165.950 Encoder=126.64mm ext=116mm
168.100 Encoder=129.39mm ext=119mm
168.200 Encoder check, ext=120mm
169.200 Encoder=132.14mm ext=121mm
172.100 Encoder=134.90mm ext=125mm
173.350 Encoder=137.65mm ext=127mm
175.950 Encoder=140.40mm ext=130mm
177.250 Encoder=143.16mm ext=133mm
179.400 Encoder=145.91mm ext=136mm
180.450 Encoder=148.66mm ext=138mm
182.450 Encoder=151.42mm ext=141mm
183.550 Encoder=154.17mm ext=143mm
185.550 Encoder=156.92mm ext=146mm
186.750 Encoder=159.67mm ext=148mm
187.650 Encoder check, ext=150mm
188.950 Encoder=162.43mm ext=152mm
190.150 Encoder=165.18mm ext=154mm
192.400 Encoder=167.93mm ext=157mm
193.750 Encoder=170.69mm ext=159mm
195.800 Encoder=173.44mm ext=163mm
197.950 Encoder=176.19mm ext=165mm
201.900 Encoder=178.95mm ext=169mm
211.500 Encoder check, ext=180mm
229.900 Encoder check, ext=210mm
229.900 D_FILAMENT_FLOW_STOPPED

Finished print of 20mm test cube (after filament replaced):

842.500 D_OW_NO_RESET_PRESENCE
872.500 TE4 RST E1 T=10
887.475 TE4 E1 T=130 DT=120 CR=2400 TH=225
892.450 TE4 E1 T=155 DT=25 CR=500 TH=225
897.425 TE4 E1 T=178 DT=23 CR=460 TH=200
902.400 TE4 E1 T=199 DT=21 CR=420 TH=200
907.375 TE4 E1 T=217 DT=18 CR=360 TH=175
912.350 TE4 E1 T=234 DT=17 CR=340 TH=175
1279.600 D_FILAMENT_LENGTH=
1279.600 106292
1279.600 TE4 RST E1 T=10
1291.550 TE4 E1 T=142 DT=132 CR=2640 TH=225
1296.525 TE4 E1 T=167 DT=25 CR=500 TH=200
1301.500 TE4 E1 T=189 DT=22 CR=440 TH=200
1306.475 TE4 E1 T=209 DT=20 CR=400 TH=200
1316.050 Encoder=2.75mm ext=0mm
1318.000 Encoder=5.51mm ext=3mm
1319.000 Encoder=8.26mm ext=5mm
1320.950 Encoder=11.01mm ext=8mm
1322.050 Encoder=13.77mm ext=10mm
1323.900 Encoder=16.52mm ext=13mm
1325.050 Encoder=19.27mm ext=15mm
1327.200 Encoder=22.02mm ext=19mm
1328.400 Encoder=24.78mm ext=21mm
1330.500 Encoder=27.53mm ext=24mm
1331.850 Encoder=30.28mm ext=27mm
1333.600 Encoder check, ext=30mm
1333.750 Encoder=33.04mm ext=30mm
1335.100 Encoder=35.79mm ext=32mm
1337.150 Encoder=38.54mm ext=36mm
1338.150 Encoder=41.30mm ext=37mm
1340.050 Encoder=44.05mm ext=41mm
1341.150 Encoder=46.80mm ext=42mm
1343.700 Encoder=49.55mm ext=46mm
1344.900 Encoder=52.31mm ext=48mm
1347.000 Encoder=55.06mm ext=51mm
1348.250 Encoder=57.81mm ext=53mm
1350.350 Encoder=60.57mm ext=57mm
1351.650 Encoder=63.32mm ext=59mm
1351.900 Encoder check, ext=60mm
1353.600 Encoder=66.07mm ext=62mm
1353.900 Encoder=68.82mm ext=63mm
1354.400 Encoder=71.58mm ext=63mm
1355.500 Encoder=74.33mm ext=65mm
1357.600 Encoder=77.08mm ext=68mm
1358.550 Encoder=79.84mm ext=70mm
1360.550 Encoder=82.59mm ext=73mm
1361.550 Encoder=85.34mm ext=75mm
1363.450 Encoder=88.10mm ext=78mm
1364.650 Encoder=90.85mm ext=80mm
1367.100 Encoder=93.60mm ext=84mm
1368.250 Encoder=96.36mm ext=86mm
1370.350 Encoder check, ext=90mm
1370.400 Encoder=99.11mm ext=90mm
1371.700 Encoder=101.86mm ext=92mm
1373.650 Encoder=104.61mm ext=95mm
1374.900 Encoder=107.37mm ext=97mm
1376.950 Encoder=110.12mm ext=101mm
1377.900 Encoder=112.87mm ext=102mm
1379.900 Encoder=115.63mm ext=106mm
1380.950 Encoder=118.38mm ext=108mm
1382.800 Encoder=121.13mm ext=111mm
1384.000 Encoder=123.88mm ext=113mm
1386.150 Encoder=126.64mm ext=117mm
1387.300 Encoder=129.39mm ext=119mm
1387.900 Encoder check, ext=120mm
1389.400 Encoder=132.14mm ext=122mm
1390.750 Encoder=134.90mm ext=124mm
1391.600 Encoder=137.65mm ext=125mm
1393.450 Encoder=140.40mm ext=128mm
1395.350 Encoder=143.16mm ext=130mm
1397.400 Encoder=145.91mm ext=133mm
1398.500 Encoder=148.66mm ext=135mm
1400.550 Encoder=151.42mm ext=138mm
1401.650 Encoder=154.17mm ext=140mm
1403.600 Encoder=156.92mm ext=143mm
1404.850 Encoder=159.67mm ext=145mm
1407.050 Encoder=162.43mm ext=149mm
1407.350 Encoder check, ext=150mm
1408.300 Encoder=165.18mm ext=151mm
1410.500 Encoder=167.93mm ext=155mm
1411.900 Encoder=170.69mm ext=157mm
1413.900 Encoder=173.44mm ext=160mm
1415.300 Encoder=176.19mm ext=163mm
1418.600 Encoder=178.95mm ext=166mm
1420.350 Encoder=181.70mm ext=168mm
1420.850 Encoder=184.45mm ext=168mm
1424.200 Encoder=187.20mm ext=171mm
1426.050 Encoder=189.96mm ext=173mm
1428.950 Encoder=192.71mm ext=176mm
1430.200 Encoder=195.46mm ext=178mm
1431.150 Encoder check, ext=180mm
1432.450 Encoder=198.22mm ext=182mm
1433.650 Encoder=200.97mm ext=184mm
1435.900 Encoder=203.72mm ext=187mm
1437.250 Encoder=206.48mm ext=190mm
1439.300 Encoder=209.23mm ext=193mm
1440.650 Encoder=211.98mm ext=195mm
1442.750 Encoder=214.73mm ext=198mm
1443.850 Encoder=217.49mm ext=200mm
1445.850 Encoder=220.24mm ext=204mm
1447.000 Encoder=222.99mm ext=205mm
1448.950 Encoder=225.75mm ext=209mm
1449.550 Encoder check, ext=210mm
1450.750 Encoder=228.50mm ext=211mm
1454.700 Encoder=231.25mm ext=214mm
1457.000 Encoder=234.01mm ext=216mm
1460.850 Encoder=236.76mm ext=220mm
1462.200 Encoder=239.51mm ext=222mm
1464.250 Encoder=242.26mm ext=225mm
1465.550 Encoder=245.02mm ext=228mm
1467.700 Encoder=247.77mm ext=231mm
1468.800 Encoder=250.52mm ext=233mm
1470.750 Encoder=253.28mm ext=236mm
1471.950 Encoder=256.03mm ext=238mm
1472.950 Encoder check, ext=240mm
1473.850 Encoder=258.78mm ext=241mm
1475.150 Encoder=261.54mm ext=243mm
1477.350 Encoder=264.29mm ext=247mm
1478.600 Encoder=267.04mm ext=249mm
1480.800 Encoder=269.79mm ext=252mm
1483.050 Encoder=272.55mm ext=255mm
1486.600 Encoder=275.30mm ext=258mm
1488.950 Encoder=278.05mm ext=260mm
1489.200 Encoder=280.81mm ext=260mm
1489.350 Encoder=283.56mm ext=260mm
1493.100 Encoder=286.31mm ext=264mm
1494.150 Encoder=289.07mm ext=265mm
1496.150 Encoder=291.82mm ext=269mm
1496.750 Encoder check, ext=270mm
1497.250 Encoder=294.57mm ext=270mm
1499.200 Encoder=297.32mm ext=274mm
1500.500 Encoder=300.08mm ext=276mm
1502.650 Encoder=302.83mm ext=279mm
1503.950 Encoder=305.58mm ext=281mm
1506.100 Encoder=308.34mm ext=285mm
1507.550 Encoder=311.09mm ext=287mm
1509.550 Encoder=313.84mm ext=290mm
1510.950 Encoder=316.60mm ext=293mm
1513.050 Encoder=319.35mm ext=296mm
1514.100 Encoder=322.10mm ext=298mm
1515.550 Encoder check, ext=300mm
1517.100 Encoder=324.85mm ext=301mm
1519.250 Encoder=327.61mm ext=303mm
1522.650 Encoder=330.36mm ext=306mm
1524.800 Encoder=333.11mm ext=308mm
1525.000 Encoder=335.87mm ext=308mm
1525.500 Encoder=338.62mm ext=308mm
1527.600 Encoder=341.37mm ext=312mm
1528.900 Encoder=344.13mm ext=314mm
1531.150 Encoder=346.88mm ext=318mm
1532.500 Encoder=349.63mm ext=320mm
1534.550 Encoder=352.38mm ext=323mm
1535.900 Encoder=355.14mm ext=325mm
1538.000 Encoder=357.89mm ext=329mm
1538.500 Encoder check, ext=330mm
1539.050 Encoder=360.64mm ext=330mm
1541.050 Encoder=363.40mm ext=334mm
1542.200 Encoder=366.15mm ext=336mm
1544.100 Encoder=368.90mm ext=339mm
1545.400 Encoder=371.66mm ext=341mm
1548.600 Encoder=374.41mm ext=344mm
1550.600 Encoder=377.16mm ext=346mm
1551.200 Encoder=379.91mm ext=347mm
1555.000 Encoder=382.67mm ext=350mm
1555.250 Encoder=385.42mm ext=350mm
1555.650 Encoder=388.17mm ext=350mm
1558.100 Encoder=390.93mm ext=352mm
1561.700 Encoder=393.68mm ext=356mm
1563.950 Encoder=396.43mm ext=358mm
1564.950 Encoder=399.19mm ext=358mm
1566.300 Encoder check, ext=360mm
1568.800 Encoder=401.94mm ext=361mm
1570.400 Encoder=404.69mm ext=363mm
1574.100 Encoder=407.44mm ext=366mm
1575.000 Encoder=410.20mm ext=367mm
1576.400 Encoder=412.95mm ext=368mm
1577.100 Encoder=415.70mm ext=368mm
1580.350 Encoder=418.46mm ext=371mm
1582.650 Encoder=421.21mm ext=373mm
1586.650 Encoder=423.96mm ext=377mm
1586.800 Encoder=426.72mm ext=377mm
1587.250 Encoder=429.47mm ext=377mm
1589.700 Encoder=432.22mm ext=379mm
1593.650 Encoder=434.97mm ext=382mm
1596.500 Encoder=437.73mm ext=385mm
1600.550 Encoder=440.48mm ext=388mm
1602.450 Encoder check, ext=390mm
1603.050 Encoder=443.23mm ext=390mm
1606.900 Encoder=445.99mm ext=393mm
1607.050 Encoder=448.74mm ext=394mm
1607.500 Encoder=451.49mm ext=394mm
1609.600 Encoder=454.25mm ext=395mm
1613.150 Encoder=457.00mm ext=399mm
1615.500 Encoder=459.75mm ext=400mm
1615.850 Encoder=462.50mm ext=401mm
1616.250 Encoder=465.26mm ext=401mm
1619.500 Encoder=468.01mm ext=403mm
1621.550 Encoder=470.76mm ext=406mm
1621.750 Encoder=473.52mm ext=406mm
1621.900 Encoder=476.27mm ext=406mm
1625.750 Encoder=479.02mm ext=409mm
1625.900 Encoder=481.77mm ext=409mm
1626.350 Encoder=484.53mm ext=409mm
1628.800 Encoder=487.28mm ext=411mm
1632.750 Encoder=490.03mm ext=415mm
1634.950 Encoder=492.79mm ext=417mm
1635.150 Encoder=495.54mm ext=417mm
1635.600 Encoder=498.29mm ext=417mm
1638.850 Encoder check, ext=420mm
1639.550 Encoder=501.05mm ext=420mm
1641.850 Encoder=503.80mm ext=422mm
1641.900 Encoder=506.55mm ext=422mm
1642.100 Encoder=509.30mm ext=422mm
1645.950 Encoder=512.06mm ext=426mm
1646.050 Encoder=514.81mm ext=426mm
1646.500 Encoder=517.56mm ext=426mm
1648.000 Encoder=520.32mm ext=428mm
1648.150 Encoder=523.07mm ext=428mm
1648.750 Encoder=525.82mm ext=428mm
1652.150 Encoder=528.58mm ext=431mm
1653.950 Encoder=531.33mm ext=433mm
1657.950 Encoder=534.08mm ext=436mm
1658.200 Encoder=536.84mm ext=436mm
1658.750 Encoder=539.59mm ext=436mm
1660.550 Encoder=542.34mm ext=438mm
*ERR WATCHDOG: 6C24*
1664.500 Encoder=545.09mm ext=442mm
1667.000 Encoder=547.85mm ext=443mm
1671.450 Encoder=550.60mm ext=447mm
1673.850 Encoder=553.35mm ext=449mm
1674.050 Encoder check, ext=450mm
1678.000 Encoder=556.11mm ext=453mm
1678.850 Encoder=558.86mm ext=453mm
1680.750 Encoder=561.61mm ext=455mm
1684.550 Encoder=564.36mm ext=458mm
1686.900 Encoder=567.12mm ext=460mm
1690.850 Encoder=569.87mm ext=463mm
1692.950 Encoder=572.62mm ext=465mm
1696.850 Encoder=575.38mm ext=468mm
1699.450 Encoder=578.13mm ext=470mm
1703.350 Encoder=580.88mm ext=474mm
1705.350 Encoder=583.64mm ext=476mm
1705.500 Encoder=586.39mm ext=476mm
1705.950 Encoder=589.14mm ext=476mm
1710.400 Encoder=591.90mm ext=480mm
1710.400 Encoder check, ext=480mm
1712.850 Encoder=594.65mm ext=482mm
1717.000 Encoder=597.40mm ext=485mm
1719.750 Encoder=600.15mm ext=487mm
1723.500 Encoder=602.91mm ext=491mm
1725.150 Encoder=605.66mm ext=492mm
1726.050 Encoder=608.41mm ext=493mm
1729.700 Encoder=611.17mm ext=496mm
1731.650 Encoder=613.92mm ext=497mm
1735.050 Encoder=616.67mm ext=501mm
1737.550 Encoder=619.42mm ext=503mm
1738.250 Encoder=622.18mm ext=503mm
1742.000 Encoder=624.93mm ext=506mm
1742.500 Encoder=627.68mm ext=507mm
1742.600 Encoder=630.44mm ext=507mm
1744.350 Encoder=633.19mm ext=508mm
1745.600 Encoder check, ext=510mm
1748.650 Encoder=635.94mm ext=512mm
1748.750 Encoder=638.70mm ext=512mm
1749.300 Encoder=641.45mm ext=512mm
1751.600 Encoder=644.20mm ext=514mm
1755.150 Encoder=646.96mm ext=517mm
1757.800 Encoder=649.71mm ext=520mm
1758.000 Encoder=652.46mm ext=520mm
1758.450 Encoder=655.21mm ext=520mm
1762.150 Encoder=657.97mm ext=523mm
1762.800 Encoder=660.72mm ext=523mm
1764.200 Encoder=663.47mm ext=525mm
1767.900 Encoder=666.23mm ext=528mm
1768.100 Encoder=668.98mm ext=528mm
1768.500 Encoder=671.73mm ext=528mm
1770.700 Encoder=674.48mm ext=530mm
1774.150 Encoder=677.24mm ext=533mm
1776.650 Encoder=679.99mm ext=535mm
1777.350 Encoder=682.74mm ext=535mm
1781.150 Encoder=685.50mm ext=539mm
1782.100 Encoder check, ext=540mm
1783.450 Encoder=688.25mm ext=541mm
1787.750 Encoder=691.00mm ext=544mm
1790.700 Encoder=693.76mm ext=546mm
1794.300 Encoder=696.51mm ext=550mm
1796.950 Encoder=699.26mm ext=552mm
1797.050 Encoder=702.02mm ext=552mm
1797.500 Encoder=704.77mm ext=552mm
1801.300 Encoder=707.52mm ext=555mm
1803.350 Encoder=710.27mm ext=557mm
1807.050 Encoder=713.03mm ext=560mm
1807.150 Encoder=715.78mm ext=560mm
1807.600 Encoder=718.53mm ext=560mm
1809.200 Encoder=721.29mm ext=562mm
1809.250 Encoder=724.04mm ext=562mm
1809.850 Encoder=726.79mm ext=562mm
1813.050 Encoder=729.54mm ext=565mm
1813.100 Encoder=732.30mm ext=565mm
1813.300 Encoder=735.05mm ext=565mm
1815.400 Encoder=737.80mm ext=567mm
1818.050 Encoder check, ext=570mm
1820.350 Encoder=740.56mm ext=571mm
1822.350 Encoder=743.31mm ext=573mm
1826.300 Encoder=746.06mm ext=577mm
1826.550 Encoder=748.82mm ext=577mm
1827.000 Encoder=751.57mm ext=577mm
1829.300 Encoder=754.32mm ext=579mm
1829.500 Encoder=757.08mm ext=579mm
1830.050 Encoder=759.83mm ext=579mm
1833.200 Encoder=762.58mm ext=582mm
1833.300 Encoder=765.33mm ext=582mm
1833.500 Encoder=768.09mm ext=582mm
1835.700 Encoder=770.84mm ext=584mm
1840.500 Encoder=773.59mm ext=588mm
1842.250 Encoder=776.35mm ext=590mm
1845.850 Encoder=779.10mm ext=593mm
1848.300 Encoder=781.85mm ext=595mm
1852.200 Encoder=784.60mm ext=598mm
1854.150 Encoder check, ext=600mm
1854.500 Encoder=787.36mm ext=600mm
1858.750 Encoder=790.11mm ext=604mm
1859.400 Encoder=792.86mm ext=604mm
1861.550 Encoder=795.62mm ext=605mm
1865.500 Encoder=798.37mm ext=609mm
1868.450 Encoder=801.12mm ext=611mm
1872.500 Encoder=803.88mm ext=615mm
1874.900 Encoder=806.63mm ext=617mm
1878.900 Encoder=809.38mm ext=620mm
1879.550 Encoder=812.14mm ext=621mm
1881.400 Encoder=814.89mm ext=622mm
1885.050 Encoder=817.64mm ext=625mm
1886.850 Encoder=820.39mm ext=627mm
1887.500 Encoder=823.15mm ext=627mm
1890.600 Encoder check, ext=630mm
1891.300 Encoder=825.90mm ext=630mm
1893.400 Encoder=828.65mm ext=632mm
1893.800 Encoder=831.41mm ext=633mm
1893.950 Encoder=834.16mm ext=633mm
1897.700 Encoder=836.91mm ext=636mm
1897.950 Encoder=839.66mm ext=636mm
1898.350 Encoder=842.42mm ext=636mm
1900.000 Encoder=845.17mm ext=638mm
1900.050 Encoder=847.92mm ext=638mm
1900.650 Encoder=850.68mm ext=638mm
1904.600 Encoder=853.43mm ext=642mm
1906.800 Encoder=856.18mm ext=644mm
1907.250 Encoder=858.94mm ext=644mm
1907.650 Encoder=861.69mm ext=644mm
1911.500 Encoder=864.44mm ext=647mm
1913.700 Encoder=867.20mm ext=649mm
1914.150 Encoder=869.95mm ext=649mm
1917.900 Encoder=872.70mm ext=653mm
1918.600 Encoder=875.45mm ext=653mm
1919.950 Encoder=878.21mm ext=654mm
1920.800 Encoder=880.96mm ext=655mm
1923.850 Encoder=883.71mm ext=658mm
1924.150 Encoder=886.47mm ext=658mm
1924.300 Encoder=889.22mm ext=658mm
1925.900 Encoder=891.97mm ext=659mm
1925.950 Encoder check, ext=660mm
1929.450 Encoder=894.73mm ext=663mm
1929.600 Encoder=897.48mm ext=663mm
1930.050 Encoder=900.23mm ext=663mm
1932.550 Encoder=902.98mm ext=665mm
1936.300 Encoder=905.74mm ext=668mm
1939.100 Encoder=908.49mm ext=670mm
1943.400 Encoder=911.24mm ext=674mm
1945.900 Encoder=914.00mm ext=676mm
1949.600 Encoder=916.75mm ext=679mm
1949.750 Encoder=919.50mm ext=680mm
1950.200 Encoder=922.26mm ext=680mm
1952.800 Encoder=925.01mm ext=682mm
1956.550 Encoder=927.76mm ext=685mm
1958.500 Encoder=930.51mm ext=687mm
1958.550 Encoder=933.27mm ext=687mm
1959.050 Encoder=936.02mm ext=687mm
1962.350 Encoder check, ext=690mm
1962.850 Encoder=938.77mm ext=690mm
1965.050 Encoder=941.53mm ext=692mm
1968.600 Encoder=944.28mm ext=695mm
1968.700 Encoder=947.03mm ext=695mm
1969.150 Encoder=949.79mm ext=695mm
1971.600 Encoder=952.54mm ext=697mm
1975.450 Encoder=955.29mm ext=701mm
1977.500 Encoder=958.04mm ext=703mm
1978.350 Encoder=960.80mm ext=703mm
1982.500 Encoder=963.55mm ext=706mm
1985.050 Encoder=966.30mm ext=709mm
1988.750 Encoder=969.06mm ext=712mm
1988.900 Encoder=971.81mm ext=712mm
1989.350 Encoder=974.56mm ext=712mm
1991.950 Encoder=977.32mm ext=714mm
1995.650 Encoder=980.07mm ext=717mm
1997.400 Encoder=982.82mm ext=719mm
1997.750 Encoder check, ext=720mm
2002.050 Encoder=985.57mm ext=722mm
2003.950 Encoder=988.33mm ext=724mm
2007.400 Encoder=991.08mm ext=727mm
2010.000 Encoder=993.83mm ext=730mm
2014.400 Encoder=996.59mm ext=733mm
2016.700 Encoder=999.34mm ext=735mm
2021.100 Encoder=1002.09mm ext=739mm
2021.300 Encoder=1004.85mm ext=739mm
2021.850 Encoder=1007.60mm ext=739mm
2023.950 Encoder=1010.35mm ext=741mm
2027.550 Encoder=1013.10mm ext=744mm
2030.300 Encoder=1015.86mm ext=747mm
2030.950 Encoder=1018.61mm ext=747mm
2034.100 Encoder check, ext=750mm
2034.550 Encoder=1021.36mm ext=750mm
2036.550 Encoder=1024.12mm ext=752mm
2040.450 Encoder=1026.87mm ext=755mm
2041.050 Encoder=1029.62mm ext=755mm
2043.100 Encoder=1032.38mm ext=757mm
2046.550 Encoder=1035.13mm ext=760mm
2049.150 Encoder=1037.88mm ext=762mm
2049.900 Encoder=1040.63mm ext=762mm
2053.600 Encoder=1043.39mm ext=766mm
2055.900 Encoder=1046.14mm ext=768mm
2060.250 Encoder=1048.89mm ext=771mm
2063.150 Encoder=1051.65mm ext=773mm
2066.750 Encoder=1054.40mm ext=777mm
2069.450 Encoder=1057.15mm ext=779mm
2069.750 Encoder=1059.91mm ext=779mm
2070.150 Encoder=1062.66mm ext=779mm
2070.350 Encoder check, ext=780mm
2073.850 Encoder=1065.41mm ext=782mm
2075.600 Encoder=1068.16mm ext=784mm
2075.700 Encoder=1070.92mm ext=784mm
2075.900 Encoder=1073.67mm ext=784mm
2079.650 Encoder=1076.42mm ext=787mm
2080.300 Encoder=1079.18mm ext=788mm
2081.800 Encoder=1081.93mm ext=789mm
2082.000 Encoder=1084.68mm ext=789mm
2082.550 Encoder=1087.44mm ext=789mm
2085.550 Encoder=1090.19mm ext=792mm
2085.850 Encoder=1092.94mm ext=793mm
2086.000 Encoder=1095.69mm ext=793mm
2087.900 Encoder=1098.45mm ext=794mm
2092.950 Encoder=1101.20mm ext=798mm
2094.900 Encoder=1103.95mm ext=800mm
2098.800 Encoder=1106.71mm ext=804mm
2099.650 Encoder=1109.46mm ext=804mm
2101.800 Encoder=1112.21mm ext=806mm
2102.150 Encoder=1114.96mm ext=806mm
2102.650 Encoder=1117.72mm ext=806mm
2105.650 Encoder=1120.47mm ext=809mm
2105.950 Encoder=1123.22mm ext=809mm
2106.100 Encoder=1125.98mm ext=809mm
2106.250 Encoder check, ext=810mm
2108.100 Encoder=1128.73mm ext=811mm
2112.950 Encoder=1131.48mm ext=815mm
2114.650 Encoder=1134.24mm ext=817mm
2118.350 Encoder=1136.99mm ext=820mm
2120.850 Encoder=1139.74mm ext=822mm
2124.600 Encoder=1142.50mm ext=825mm
2126.900 Encoder=1145.25mm ext=827mm
2131.200 Encoder=1148.00mm ext=831mm
2133.850 Encoder=1150.75mm ext=832mm
2137.850 Encoder=1153.51mm ext=836mm
2140.850 Encoder=1156.26mm ext=838mm
2142.100 Encoder check, ext=840mm
2144.750 Encoder=1159.01mm ext=842mm
2147.150 Encoder=1161.77mm ext=844mm
2151.350 Encoder=1164.52mm ext=847mm
2153.700 Encoder=1167.27mm ext=849mm
2157.300 Encoder=1170.03mm ext=852mm
2159.150 Encoder=1172.78mm ext=854mm
2160.100 Encoder=1175.53mm ext=855mm
2163.550 Encoder=1178.28mm ext=857mm
2165.700 Encoder=1181.04mm ext=859mm
2169.550 Encoder=1183.79mm ext=863mm
2169.700 Encoder=1186.54mm ext=863mm
2170.150 Encoder=1189.30mm ext=863mm
2172.400 Encoder=1192.05mm ext=865mm
2173.200 Encoder=1194.80mm ext=865mm
2176.900 Encoder=1197.56mm ext=869mm
2177.850 Encoder check, ext=870mm
2179.100 Encoder=1200.31mm ext=871mm
2183.800 Encoder=1203.06mm ext=874mm
2186.050 Encoder=1205.81mm ext=876mm
2186.700 Encoder=1208.57mm ext=877mm
2189.750 Encoder=1211.32mm ext=880mm
2189.850 Encoder=1214.07mm ext=880mm
2190.350 Encoder=1216.83mm ext=880mm
2191.850 Encoder=1219.58mm ext=881mm
2192.000 Encoder=1222.33mm ext=881mm
2192.450 Encoder=1225.08mm ext=882mm
2196.200 Encoder=1227.84mm ext=885mm
2196.800 Encoder=1230.59mm ext=885mm
2198.300 Encoder=1233.34mm ext=887mm
2201.900 Encoder=1236.10mm ext=890mm
2202.100 Encoder=1238.85mm ext=890mm
2202.550 Encoder=1241.60mm ext=890mm
2204.950 Encoder=1244.36mm ext=892mm
2208.850 Encoder=1247.11mm ext=895mm
2211.550 Encoder=1249.86mm ext=897mm
2214.350 Encoder check, ext=900mm
2215.850 Encoder=1252.61mm ext=901mm
2218.350 Encoder=1255.37mm ext=903mm
2222.150 Encoder=1258.12mm ext=907mm
2222.250 Encoder=1260.87mm ext=907mm
2222.700 Encoder=1263.63mm ext=907mm
2225.250 Encoder=1266.38mm ext=909mm
2229.050 Encoder=1269.13mm ext=912mm
2231.500 Encoder=1271.89mm ext=914mm
2235.400 Encoder=1274.64mm ext=917mm
2237.450 Encoder=1277.39mm ext=919mm
2241.000 Encoder=1280.15mm ext=922mm
2241.100 Encoder=1282.90mm ext=922mm
2241.550 Encoder=1285.65mm ext=922mm
2244.100 Encoder=1288.40mm ext=924mm
2247.850 Encoder=1291.16mm ext=928mm
2249.700 Encoder check, ext=930mm
2250.000 Encoder=1293.91mm ext=930mm
2250.750 Encoder=1296.66mm ext=930mm
2255.000 Encoder=1299.42mm ext=933mm
2257.450 Encoder=1302.17mm ext=936mm
2261.400 Encoder=1304.92mm ext=939mm
2262.700 Encoder=1307.68mm ext=941mm
2264.850 Encoder=1310.43mm ext=945mm
2265.850 Encoder=1313.18mm ext=946mm
2267.850 Encoder=1315.93mm ext=950mm
2269.050 Encoder=1318.69mm ext=952mm
2270.900 Encoder=1321.44mm ext=955mm
2272.200 Encoder=1324.19mm ext=957mm
2274.000 Encoder check, ext=960mm
2274.400 Encoder=1326.95mm ext=960mm
2275.650 Encoder=1329.70mm ext=962mm
2277.850 Encoder=1332.45mm ext=966mm
2279.250 Encoder=1335.20mm ext=968mm
2281.250 Encoder=1337.96mm ext=971mm
2282.600 Encoder=1340.71mm ext=974mm
2284.700 Encoder=1343.46mm ext=977mm
2285.800 Encoder=1346.22mm ext=979mm
2287.800 Encoder=1348.97mm ext=982mm
2287.900 Encoder=1351.72mm ext=982mm
2288.100 Encoder=1354.48mm ext=982mm
2289.900 Encoder=1357.23mm ext=984mm
2293.400 Encoder=1359.98mm ext=987mm
2295.700 Encoder=1362.73mm ext=989mm
2296.000 Encoder check, ext=990mm
2297.900 Encoder=1365.49mm ext=993mm
2299.150 Encoder=1368.24mm ext=995mm
2301.300 Encoder=1370.99mm ext=998mm
2302.700 Encoder=1373.75mm ext=1000mm
2304.750 Encoder=1376.50mm ext=1004mm
2306.100 Encoder=1379.25mm ext=1006mm
2308.250 Encoder=1382.01mm ext=1009mm
2309.250 Encoder=1384.76mm ext=1011mm
2311.300 Encoder=1387.51mm ext=1014mm
2312.400 Encoder=1390.27mm ext=1016mm
2314.350 Encoder=1393.02mm ext=1019mm
2314.450 Encoder check, ext=1020mm
2315.650 Encoder=1395.77mm ext=1022mm
2317.850 Encoder=1398.52mm ext=1025mm
2319.100 Encoder=1401.28mm ext=1027mm
2321.300 Encoder=1404.03mm ext=1031mm
2323.600 Encoder=1406.78mm ext=1033mm
2327.250 Encoder=1409.54mm ext=1036mm
2330.050 Encoder=1412.29mm ext=1038mm
2332.200 Encoder=1415.04mm ext=1042mm
2333.200 Encoder=1417.80mm ext=1044mm
2335.250 Encoder=1420.55mm ext=1047mm
2336.350 Encoder=1423.30mm ext=1049mm
2336.900 Encoder check, ext=1050mm
2338.300 Encoder=1426.05mm ext=1052mm
2339.550 Encoder=1428.81mm ext=1054mm
2341.800 Encoder=1431.56mm ext=1058mm
2343.000 Encoder=1434.31mm ext=1060mm
2345.200 Encoder=1437.07mm ext=1063mm
2346.550 Encoder=1439.82mm ext=1065mm
2348.700 Encoder=1442.57mm ext=1069mm
2350.000 Encoder=1445.32mm ext=1071mm
2352.150 Encoder=1448.08mm ext=1074mm
2353.150 Encoder=1450.83mm ext=1076mm
2355.250 Encoder=1453.58mm ext=1079mm
2355.300 Encoder check, ext=1080mm
2356.350 Encoder=1456.34mm ext=1081mm
2356.850 Encoder=1459.09mm ext=1082mm
2359.550 Encoder=1461.84mm ext=1084mm
2360.250 Encoder=1464.60mm ext=1085mm
2361.900 Encoder=1467.35mm ext=1086mm
2365.250 Encoder=1470.10mm ext=1090mm
2366.500 Encoder=1472.85mm ext=1092mm
2368.800 Encoder=1475.61mm ext=1096mm
2370.100 Encoder=1478.36mm ext=1098mm
2372.200 Encoder=1481.11mm ext=1101mm
2373.500 Encoder=1483.87mm ext=1103mm
2375.650 Encoder=1486.62mm ext=1107mm
2376.700 Encoder=1489.37mm ext=1109mm
2377.250 Encoder check, ext=1110mm
2378.750 Encoder=1492.13mm ext=1112mm
2379.850 Encoder=1494.88mm ext=1114mm
2381.750 Encoder=1497.63mm ext=1117mm
2383.000 Encoder=1500.39mm ext=1119mm
2385.200 Encoder=1503.14mm ext=1123mm
2386.450 Encoder=1505.89mm ext=1125mm
2388.750 Encoder=1508.64mm ext=1128mm
2390.050 Encoder=1511.40mm ext=1130mm
2393.350 Encoder=1514.15mm ext=1134mm
2395.800 Encoder=1516.90mm ext=1136mm
2399.150 Encoder=1519.66mm ext=1139mm
2399.250 Encoder check, ext=1140mm
2400.200 Encoder=1522.41mm ext=1141mm
2402.250 Encoder=1525.16mm ext=1144mm
2403.350 Encoder=1527.92mm ext=1146mm
2405.300 Encoder=1530.67mm ext=1149mm
2406.550 Encoder=1533.42mm ext=1151mm
2408.850 Encoder=1536.17mm ext=1155mm
2410.000 Encoder=1538.93mm ext=1157mm
2412.250 Encoder=1541.68mm ext=1161mm
2413.600 Encoder=1544.43mm ext=1163mm
2415.650 Encoder=1547.19mm ext=1166mm
2417.050 Encoder=1549.94mm ext=1169mm
2417.650 Encoder check, ext=1170mm
2419.150 Encoder=1552.69mm ext=1172mm
2420.200 Encoder=1555.45mm ext=1174mm
2422.200 Encoder=1558.20mm ext=1177mm
2423.350 Encoder=1560.95mm ext=1179mm
2425.300 Encoder=1563.70mm ext=1182mm
2427.750 Encoder=1566.46mm ext=1184mm
2431.600 Encoder=1569.21mm ext=1188mm
2431.850 D_GCODE_END_OF_FILE
2586.850 $$$
CMD
2587.050 sleep

After print an information about firmware update is shown. This might mean that the newest firmware version is stored in the gcode file for the printer to display.

5. Firmware update

When the update firmware option is selected the USB port becomes active and reports as a Microchip USB HID Bootloader:

[75486.506468] usb 5-1: new full-speed USB device number 4 using xhci_hcd
[75486.804247] usb 5-1: New USB device found, idVendor=04d8, idProduct=003c, bcdDevice= 0.02
[75486.804255] usb 5-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[75486.804259] usb 5-1: Product: USB HID Bootloader
[75486.804263] usb 5-1: Manufacturer: Microchip Technology Inc.
[75486.812177] hid-generic 0003:04D8:003C.0005: hiddev96,hidraw4: USB HID v1.11 Device [Microchip Technology Inc. USB HID Bootloader] on usb-0000:10:00.0-1/input0

When you run the firmware update mode there is a SETTINGS.BIN file stored on the SD card which is I guess for persisting of settings during interface upgrade. The contents of this file are the following:

✗ hexdump -C < SETTINGS.BIN 
00000000  01 00 00 00 5f 5e 56 c0  18 00 00 00              |...._^V.....|
0000000c
✗ 

When the Cube3D boots and detects the existence of this file it loads it and shows a "Settings restored" message on the LCD screen together with the following messages on the serial console:

0.000 Cube V2.07
0.000 Baud:227272
2.000 $$$
CMD
2.150 set u m 0x31
AOK
2.175 set w l 5
AOK
2.175 save
Storing in config
2.175 get mac
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_CHECK_FS
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_CHECK_FILE
2.200 D_LOAD_SETTINGS_FILE_AND_RENAME
2.200 D_WRITE_NVM
Mac Addr=00:06:66:21:f1:46
2.200 ver
wifly-GSX Ver 4.00.1, Apr 19 2013 11:48:31 on RN-131
2.225 exit
EXIT

The serial number of the printer is actually the MAC address of it's wireless card. For me this was 00066621f146.

The bootloader on the device was standard Microchip bootloader. It was properly detected and upgrade after connecting a PICKit3 to the board and running mplabx (mplabipe):

*****************************************************

Connecting to MPLAB PICkit 3...

Currently loaded firmware on PICkit 3
Firmware Suite Version.....01.28.90 *
Firmware type..............PIC32MX
Now Downloading new Firmware for target device: PIC32MX440F256H
Downloading bootloader
Bootloader download complete
Programming download...

Downloading RS...
RS download complete
Programming download...

Downloading AP...
AP download complete
Programming download...


Currently loaded firmware on PICkit 3
Firmware Suite Version.....01.54.00
Firmware type..............PIC32MX
Target voltage detected
Target device PIC32MX440F256H found.
Device ID Revision = B4 B6


Reading current firmware:
Reading...

The following memory area(s) will be read:
program memory: start address = 0x1d000000, end address = 0x1d03ffff
boot config memory
configuration memory
Read complete
Target device PIC32MX440F256H found.
Device ID Revision = B4 B6

It seems like it updated the bootloader version. Don't know if this will be a problem

Reading memory…

6. Links

Forum thread about teardown of cubify cube 3: https://openbuilds.com/threads/tear-down-of-cubify-cube-3-3d-printer-convert-to-reprap.5689/page-3

Firmware files are supposed to be found at: http://cubify.s3.amazonaws.com/

Author: Maciej Grela

Created: 2023-08-23 18:39

Validate